Sumo is a Japanese form of wrestling where competitors try to force each other out of a circular ring or make any part of the opponent’s body touch the ground other than the soles of the feet. The word itself is often used to refer to the sport as a whole, and in a broader sense can also mean “wrestling” in Japanese.
Key points:
- Origin and nature: Sumo is a traditional Japanese sport with deep Shinto ritual elements, traditionally practiced professionally by men in Japan.
- How a match ends: A match is won by pushing the opponent out of the ring or causing them to touch the ground with any body part other than the soles of the feet. Matches are usually brief.
- Terminology: In Japanese, the sport is called sumō; the general term for wrestling in Japanese is also sumo in some contexts, though specific forms have distinct names (e.g., arm wrestling is udezumō).
- Global context: Sumo is widely recognized as Japan’s national sport and has a long history, with professional competition organized by governing bodies in Japan.
- English definitions: In English dictionaries, sumo is defined as a form of wrestling in which the goal is to push the opponent out of the ring or cause them to touch the ground with a body part other than the soles of the feet.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific use (e.g., quick definition for a learner, cultural context, or a comparison with other wrestling styles).